Anime/Manga ► Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma [Season 3]

[Mite]

At last, a big turning point! These last couple of months have been very good at giving little bits of set-up for characters for what should now be the next big competitive arc.

I suppose somewhat unexpectedly, but was really cool to see, was Erina finally finding her way and figuring out the kind of chef she wants to be, and finally, completely rejecting her dad's ideology. I doubt Erina is completely out of Azami's clutches by a long shot, but seeing her now stand on her own and even inspire the Polaris Dorm gang to fight back was a really big moment for her character ever since her dad came into the picture. Really looking forward to this is going, and seeing how the Advancement Exams shake out next.

 

[Mite]

I know it's not really official, but can Erina just be a member of Polaris already? She practically just lives there already, and if she's going to be helping them out and opposing her dad like they are then she might as well just be a member. #it'snotreallythatimportant

It's an interesting setup for their advancement exams going forward, but hopefully Erina-sensei has prepared the dorm kids for all the trouble that might come across. Lol. Also, as someone who does live in a cold, at times snowy part of the world... it's not that great. Snow is more of a hassle then it is fun. Lol.

 

[Mite]

Well, it's certainly been a while since I last posted here, so... ketchup!

SEASON TWO OF THE ANIME IS HERE! (Three episodes already, lol.) The show is really picking up the pace this season compared to the first. Three episodes done and we've had three Fall Classic matches done, which I would have expected 1.5 to 2 episodes per match. This is keeping things going at a brisk pace. (episode one was the only really noticeable one because some more of the prep work and flashback material from the manga was left out.) It amuses me to no end seeing the over-the-top moments of the manga be even more over-the-top in the anime again, so this is definitely a favorite show of mine to watch every week.

Spoiler Show

Hey, the advancement exams are happening now! Didn't waist any time in showing that Soma's group of rebels are having the deck stacked against them pretty damn hard. The instructors are pretty blatantly showing that they're screwing them over. Even so, I'm sure a team with Soma, Alice and Kurokiba on it will make it through to the end. Unfortunately it seems like the other students are doing more than just sipping the Azami Kool-Aid now.

The first test is over, and luckily every rebel group passed, despite the huge disadvantages they all had. While this is good it makes me wonder how all of them could have gotten the necessary things to pull out their wins. My current theory is that the Former Council of Ten members like Ishiki and Kuga are secretly helping the rebels pass, since they would have more of the means to get them the food and supplies they lack to pass their exams. We'll see how it goes, but things should get much harder from here. But hey, the first part is done and a victory well-earned.

 

[Mite]

Will procrastination ever not get the better of me? Current statistics say... probably not. But that means I have TWO volumes to talk about now.

Spoiler Show

This is it, the big Fall Classic finale! I have to say that I love this volume cover. It's different than the previous ones which mainly just showed the various characters in some kind of cooking setting. Not this though, as it fully shows off how each of the tournament finalists are portrayed during their fierce competition, and their different swords representing just how different their cooking styles are. I wouldn't be surprised if someone looked at this cover and thought the story was more akin to something like Toriko.

The build up to this final match subverted my expectations a lot. The whole arc was seemingly this big build-up to Soma facing down Hayama, but then turns things on its head by actually making it a three-way match with Kurokiba thrown in. This volume did a great job elevating all three characters and making each seem very adept at their unique cooking styles. Hayama and Kurokiba having clear advantages over Soma made it a pretty tall mountain he had to climb in order to just be on equal footing with them. Then the volume goes and ends in a freaking cliffhanger as to who the winner is! Quite the sneaky way to practically guarantee the next volume's sales. This volume was filled with a lot of fun and tense moments that made the journey to get here in this tournament well worth it.

Spoiler Show

The Fall Classic winner is decided! Considering how evenly matched Soma, Hayama, and Kurokiba were it really could have been any one of them that could have won it. The judges gave some really great reasons for who it was that won, and at the end of it all it set up some interesting new character dynamics and a lot of room for each character to grow even more.

After that the story slides into the new stage of "things-that-are-gonna-threaten-Soma-with-expulsion." (It was amusing when Soma commented on how long it's been since the institute did something that threatened the students with actually being expelled.) It's the Stagiaire! The students have to intern at various restaurants, and if they don't make a big, noticeable change or accomplishment at the place they work, then they're out. It doesn't help that Soma's been paired with another student that doesn't really like him that much. This story takes up the bulk of the volume, and while I enjoyed it a lot (there were a lot of funny moments I had forgotten about until rereading it), my absolute favorite part of Food Wars is actually gonna come up next time in volume 14. So I can't wait to talk about that when it comes out!

 

[KingdomKey]

I'll admit this arc felt like it was dragging its heels in a little bit because, not a whole lot was going on besides everyone traveling and passing exams to become 2nd year high schoolers. Boy, did things get thrown upside down fast! Hayama, you freaking traitor! I cannot believe you went straight for central instead of joining up with everyone else! This is why Kurokiba will remain my favorite compared to you. I'll admit with this recent chapter, I almost thought maybe Jun would make an appearance because, maybe she felt differently about central. Except I guess teachers can be neutral, considering Dojima is one on neither side. Thank goodness he's helping Yukihira out by telling him how under matched he'd be. And holy crap, I didn't expect to see one of the former elite ten show up after all this time either. It feels rather fitting, knowing a spice user is helping against one that's trying to kick Yukihira in the teeth. Either way, I hope Yukihira accepts all the help he can get. And bear meat sounds rather unpleasant to me. xD

 

[KingdomKey]

The royal brawl between chefs for a life time to be a part of the council of ten was quite something. I love how Hayama beat third years. I'm dying to know more about the other two chefs, who took the other two spots. I get the feeling Rindo isn't fully on board with Azami. And maybe, Hayama isn't as all bad as I originally thought. Especially if it wasn't handed to him on a silver platter and he fought his way through third years to earn his place. I get the crushing feeling Yukihira might come close, but it won't be enough to take his spot. And we don't know what Yukihira will have to give in exchange, if he loses against Hayama for the ninth seat. I do find it amusing how much Kuga is supporting him though. xD Makes me laugh. This fully has my attention now with how everything up the stakes. Including insight on what else has happened while everybody is trying to pass into another year at the academy.

 

[KingdomKey]

Hands down my favorite chapter for Food Wars this week. I'm betting Yukihira wins because, Hayama seems nervous. Or maybe Hayama tasting Yukihira's dish will make him remember what he [I]should be fighting for. [/I]And I'd like to see Jun herself appear, because she hasn't quite yet. I feel like they're holding off until the food is decided between them and Jun will be all like, "Hayama-kun, you dummy! There's no debt to be paid! Let me take care of it!" Even if Yukihira loses, I'm okay with it because, duh, he's the main character. However, I'm concerned how the rest of the rebels will do against the Elite Ten. I could see some losing, except it's kind of unfair to put them against each other to begin with unless this is a character growth stepping stone. Furthermore, I love seeing Alice's dad. He's hilarious and reminds me of a doting dad. And Kuga, you're so cute with your need to assert yourself as taller than the twins.

 

[Muke]

Wow, I'm so late to the party, but I love Food War! I just spontaneously decided to watch a few episodes 2 days ago, and I just fell in love. This has grown to be one of my favorite animes! Megumi is bae btw <3 I love her character development. And the (German) dub was sooo good!

Gaah. Can't wait to watch season 2 once the German dub for S2 releases, because… sorry, but the English dub isn't as good imo. D:

 

[Mite]

Wow, I'm so late to the party, but I love Food War! I just spontaneously decided to watch a few episodes 2 days ago, and I just fell in love. This has grown to be one of my favorite animes! Megumi is bae btw <3 I love her character development. And the (German) dub was sooo good!

Gaah. Can't wait to watch season 2 once the German dub for S2 releases, because… sorry, but the English dub isn't as good imo. D:

Wow, another Food Wars fan around here besides Cinder and myself. Welcome to the fandom Muke!

Season 2 is sooooo good, and it has two of my favorite arcs from the series in it. Do you know if the Crunchyroll streaming service is available where you live? All of S2 is on there if you're good with watching English subs at least.

 

[Muke]

Wow, another Food Wars fan around here besides Cinder and myself. Welcome to the fandom Muke!

Season 2 is sooooo good, and it has two of my favorite arcs from the series in it. Do you know if the Crunchyroll streaming service is available where you live? All of S2 is on there if you're good with watching English subs at least.

It is available and I do have a Crunchyroll account! I'm itching to know more, so I might actually watch it with subs today! I'm sad there are only 13 episodes though. D:

 

[Mite]

It is available and I do have a Crunchyroll account! I'm itching to know more, so I might actually watch it with subs today! I'm sad there are only 13 episodes though. D:

Yeah, 13 episodes isn't a lot compared to the first season, but the Fall Classic is jam packed with so many awesome battles that i'm sure it'll be a fun watch regardless.